Rondé Barber: Wealth A Factor In Offseason Success
May 17th, 2021
“Damn, Jason, Super Bowl red. I’m feelin’ it.”
At some point, one can accumulate so much wealth and success that proving one’s self and working for basic survival become irrelevant.
Joe knows nothing about this phenomenon.
However, many Buccaneers players do, if you buy the wise words of iconic Tampa Bay cornerback Rondé Barber.
While marveling at the Bucs’ offseason miracle (GM Jason Licht’s noun) on CBS Sports Radio, Barber explained that enough Tampa Bay 2021 free agents were so wealthy and experienced, that they’ve evolved beyond money being a priority.
”You play football for one thing … you play to make a name for yourself, you play to make money eventually, and then you play to win championships,” Barber said.
“I think [the Bucs] have enough guys on their team that have made enough money that all they want to do is continue to win. And so when you can get as many guys as they did — 22 starters coming back plus — it’s because they want to win again. They feel like they can win again.”
Thought-provoking take by Barber, and it makes sense.
Lavonte David, for example, just finished a $50 million contract before signing his new likely-under-market-value contract. Ndamukong Suh is among the highest career earners in NFL history. Leonard Fournette opened his career with a $17 million signing bonus. Antonio Brown has made a fortune, though it’s unclear how much he’s blown to legal fees and paying off women to shut them up. Joe could go on.
And there’s Tom Brady, who perennially works for less money than he could.
Everything aligned so incredibly perfectly for the Bucs last season, and during the offseason.
And yes, Barber told the nation he expects the Bucs to have another all-the-way ride this season.
May 17th, 2021 at 4:53 pm
I think Barber has a point. Plus, the Bucs and Tampa environment is hard to beat, I should think. It all helps.
May 17th, 2021 at 4:54 pm
I said this all along as soon as the super bowl was over. Winning and being happy is more important than a little extra money, especially when you are already fairly wealthy.
May 17th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Also since we’re on the topic of money – no state income tax in FL probly helps.
May 17th, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Barber breaking down an NFL career into 3 stages like that was brilliant and spot on 🙌 Coming from a player like him, a very self-aware and cerebral one at that, I know he knows what he’s talking about regarding this topic as well.
“Make a name”…”make the money”…”just win and win Championships”
May 17th, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Someone get Rhonde a Capri sun , he’s on a role as always lol
GoBucs!
May 17th, 2021 at 5:26 pm
Rhonde
🙁
May 17th, 2021 at 5:27 pm
Wonder if we’ll see Tom making it rain at Scarlet’s like Stylez !
May 17th, 2021 at 5:34 pm
It’s amazing how many people still can’t spell Ronde’s first name…
May 17th, 2021 at 5:35 pm
I’d like to see Barber as the Bucs AGM. He’s a smart guy that knows and loves football.
May 17th, 2021 at 5:38 pm
“Joe knows nothing about this phenomenon” 🤣🤣
May 17th, 2021 at 5:38 pm
pfft…. they paid more for the vets to stay!
May 17th, 2021 at 5:58 pm
One nice thing about this team is that we have enough diversity of great players that none of them are having to burden the load by themselves. In most areas we have a good rotational player to come in and shoulder the load with a strong supporting cast around him. This allows players to play fresh and focus when they are in. This also extends their careers and allows them still to show their great market value without having to produce the numbers because of the nature of the system in place, so they come in and for the time they are in they obviously need to perform at a high level but not have to shoulder all the load. If everyone stays healthy this is a great system which depends on great players buying into it as you need to be ready to come in and perform when called upon which when done is more impressive than a player that goes through the motion but plays every play.
May 17th, 2021 at 6:33 pm
All depends on what you think is enough, One million, two million, 10 million, 100 million. I don’t know there is ever enough that you can’t possibly spend, so it is a matter of personal perspective. Is a house near the beach enough or does it have to be a house right on the beach? And to reach that point when you can say…I have enough… is an ending and a beginning. Then comes the next step… What are the higher goals to give you purpose and satisfaction in the next step of this incredible life journey. Glad the players have achievement on this team as one of those purposes. And hope they have equally inspiring purposes in their journey after football…when money isn’t a major driving determinate. Ronde is a bright guy…and sounds like he has climbed the mountain, reached the summit, and fully understands the entire process.
May 17th, 2021 at 6:41 pm
“Joe knows nothing about this phenomenon.”
Joe is saying that because he doesn’t want posters hitting him and Ira up for a loan next time they run into them at Big Storm. LOL.
May 17th, 2021 at 7:29 pm
smh@ “Rhonde” & “role”.😒
May 17th, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Loan? Sh!t, buy a reader a beer now and then…
Just kidding, Joe.
May 17th, 2021 at 7:47 pm
I want Rondes life lol. A super star genetically gifted athlete. Handsome with a twin brother who was remarkable as a pro. Played on some of the best defenses of all time with some of the best defensive players of all time. Was babysat by the Buccaneers greatest head coach of all time!! Dude is living his best life. You can see it when he does those breakdowns on Buccaneers.com he’s confident interesting to listen to. I mean wow what a life to be proud of. Keep it up. Anyone else notice how many of Bucs players went on to do great in media? Barber, Lynch, Griese, booger, Sapp for a while. keyshawn is even doing great and that’s just the tv guys.
May 17th, 2021 at 7:51 pm
Wealth can also lead to off-season failures…..some players like other entertainers and young wealthy persons simply don’t handle money well…..it can get them in trouble.
There is no way to be certain with players because they can change….but drafting high character players is key.
Players like Wirfs, Winfield, White and others are unlikely to let money get them in trouble.
We’ve done a good job bringing in high-character individuals.
May 17th, 2021 at 10:11 pm
Joe just purchased some goodies to hand out at Ira’s road game appearances this fall. 🙂
May 17th, 2021 at 10:16 pm
Rhonde predicted the Bucs would win the last 4 games prior to the playoffs. Many thought he was wearing rose colored glasses. He had the intel and was spot on. I had similar thoughts on our signings (22 retuning starters) and his statements make sense.
It’s great to be a Bucs fan!
May 17th, 2021 at 10:24 pm
Who?
May 18th, 2021 at 6:24 am
Well said Ron……
“great players buying into it as you need to be ready to come in and perform when called upon which when done is more impressive than a player that goes through the motion but plays every play.”
…..and then comes along TB12 and his 20+ yeras of experience with 6 rings on his finger and says … We Can Win… We Can Do This….. and the Rest is History